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LGBT Parenting
Two*True
member
WWYD: International Travel
Two*True
member
Give it to me straight. Tell me what you would do. List your concerns or maybe ones you think I haven't thought of....
Right now we are currently thinking about spending a week in London and then a week in Portugal. I would be flying to London with DD on my own but then K would be there to fly with us to Portugal. I would fly back solo.
We will rent apartments/houses instead of staying in hotels so that we have more space, kitchen access, washer/dryer etc. Every place we are thinking of renting has a crib and high chair. I will not take a carseat but will take a stroller.
K is concerned that we will barely have DD adjusted to London and then we'll up and go to Portugal. She has concerns about DD not having her usual food, milk, surroundings, etc. Staying in London for the entire 2 weeks is not an option although staying in Portugal for 2 is.
DD travels well and adjusts well. I think she is an easy going kid that has a routine but isn't stuck in her routine if that makes sense. She eats what I eat (for the most part) so I'm not too concerned about what to feed her. I'm certain we can get cheese and bananas in the UK :-p
I'm determined not to be parents that say 'we can't do that because of the baby.' I don't want to stop doing things because of what difficulties might lie ahead. K thinks London with the baby doesn't sound relaxing. I think she'll hang out in her stroller and wander the museums with me.
Okay - this got long. WDYT? FWIW, DD will be about 16 months when we go.
TIA!
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Re: WWYD: International Travel
I absolutely think that getting her OUT of a routine, into a different county/environment, etc (even a young age) is important and helpful. This is where you start teaching/showing these types of things. It's concerning when parents are like "oh, they won't like that, or they won't eat that". Well, sure they won't if you say that or never make them try it. Then it becomes a lifestyle. This is where you get to show change and trying new things and adaptation is a way of life and good thing.
" K thinks London with the baby doesn't sound relaxing. I think she'll hang out in her stroller and wander the museums with me."
Does this mean a consideration of NOT taking the baby, or not GOING at all because of the baby?
If it's not going at all, I say GO FOR IT! My bff was in London with 3 kids under the age of 7 and it went wonderfully (not perfectly, mind you, but much better than all the naysayers thought and warned).
I hope it all works out for you!!!
TTC#1 since 2004
LGBT
4 cycles @ home with known donor - BFN
RE un-medicated IUI cycles # 1-7= BFN
NEW RE Clomid 50mg/ Ovidrel/ IUI #8 BFN
Took long break
Nov 2009 - Clomid 50mg/ Ovidrel/IUI #9 = BFP
Beta 12/4 - 10...Beta #2 12/7- 28 Beta #3 12/9 - 80!
1st sonogram 12/28 - slow hb and growth
m/c 1/1/2010 Courtland 8w0d
Nov 2010 cycle cancelled - polyp removal/hysteroscopy
April 4 2011 - IUI #10 BFFN
July 5, 2011 - #11 BFFN AMH .62 Boo
do it now while you only have 1!
might it be tough? yeah. 16 months is right around the age that RB became much less flexible and more routine dependent, but even with my sassy pants I could see it being doable with only 1 child.
as long as you and K go into it knowign that it will be nothing like your vacations pre-kids, and that there will be some challenges, i think it could be amazing. the benefits outweigh the risks.
Blogs: Our Growing Family - CT Working Moms
Do it!
I completely agree with those who said that the best time to start showing your babe the world is now! The earlier you start to teach her about adapting to new places, foods, etc the easier it will be when you want to do it with her later.
I read the blog of Matt Logelin, widower parent to a now 3 year old. She's flown dozens of times already. Throughout the states and multiple places internationally.
Plus, I think it would be fun to experience all this new stuff through her eyes as well.
Good luck!
Maybe I don't have a heightened sense of smell, but I've never smelled any vagina on my pants. -- TSD
Bloggity Blog - You know you want to...
Yep, what everyone else said, do it! Of course I am so far childless, but I've seen and heard a lot of positive baby travel experiences. DW and I have talked a lot about ambitions to continue traveling when we have children.
You're already taking the right steps by planning ways to make your travel baby-friendly. You'll have a comfortable home base, laundry, and enough space. Obviously it won't be the same trip you would have taken pre-baby, but if you think you could take your child to a local museum and manage to enjoy yourself then there's no reason you can't do the same thing on the other side of the pond.
If I'm not mistaken there's not even a time change between London and Portugal. Sure, the food and sights might be a little different, but as long as you set it up right she can adjust easily. By doing it you teach her to be adaptable!
IVF Oct/Nov 2012
Beta #1 = 77, Beta #2 = 190, Beta #3 = 1044
Cautiously optimistic.
Glad everyone agrees with me
I'm thinking that if anything, maybe we shorten London to 4 or 5 days instead of 7 and then extend Portugal. I do agree with K that the London portion of the trip will be less relaxing since we will be doing more site seeing. In Portugal we will be renting a small beach cottage away from the big city. Sure we'll do some touristy stuff, but it won't be the concentration.
Thanks everyone!
Late to the party, but sounds like an awesome trip! I think the idea of shortening the London portion is a good one. I'm sure you'll have a great time, but 4 or 5 days in the hustle and bustle of the city with JB in tow will likely be enough. I agree with all those who said that as long as you know it won't be the same as travel pre-kids (and you've already travelled enough with JB to know that well!) that you'll be fine
+
sahm ~ toddler breastfeeder ~ cloth diaperer ~ baby wearer
We took the kids to Germany last year. DD was 4.5 and DS was 5 months. Our theory was "encourage the time change without forcing it" (it was 8 hours for us) and they did *amazing*. They were completely fine by day 2. They slept for most of the overnight portion of the flight (which amounted to about 6 hours of sleep) and the drive to our final destination (about 1.5 hours) and then we all took long naps the afternoon we got there.
It was unforgettable. DD always talks about "the next time we go to Germany."
Do it!